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Pochettino (kind of) compares Kane to Ronaldo

Mauricio Pochettino has likened the threat of Harry Kane to that of Brazilian legends Ronaldo and Romario.

Kane has 11 goals in 21 Premier League appearances this season, but remains without a league goal in 2016 after Spurs opened the calendar year with a draw and a defeat.

Spurs remain fourth in the table, but Pochettino believes their recent struggles can be attributed to a change in approach from their opponents.

“It’s always difficult when you’re on the top and the opponent comes and shows more respect than if you’re 10th or 12th in the table,” Pochettino said. “This is normal, it’s logic, and for that we need to be ready or more strong than before.

“It’s realistic that they respect us more than before. We need to be ready because now when they run in behind us, maybe we feel different than before. They [Leicester] played very deep – counter-attack and long ball – and sometimes if you don’t score early and take advantage, maybe you concede a goal.”

Pochettino added: “I was a player. When you have up front Ronaldo, Romario, your challenge is to fight with them and you need be ready 200 percent, not 100 percent. It’s like when Harry Kane starts, for example.

“Now Harry Kane is a top-class player and it’s always a challenge for the centre-backs to try to stop him. It’s a big challenge. It’s changed how they see us.”